my attempt at stringing Monogut ZX (with screenshots, welcome any feedback)

T

tomato123

Professional
Hi, so after doing a lot of research and reading up on almost every discussion on this board about the string, I decided to give the Ashaway Monogut ZX a try, with the ZX 16 main at 60 lbs and gamma TNT ocho 16 crosses at 57 lbs. I am a novice when it comes to stringing and use the basic Gamma X-2 drop weight machine. I hope to make this a learning experience so I could get better at stringing this particular string, and improving my stringing skills overall - because when I went to play with this setup, it was amazing! But I do have some questions and since this was such a sensitive procedure, I started to notice things that I didn't notice before. Anyways, here is a breakdown of my process:

First attempt: even after ALL that reading and preparation, the string broke while stringing! Ugh. I prestretched, used parnell finishing knots, hand-tied. The breakage on the ZX occured when I was using my nail clipper to trim the excess string on my TNT Ocho starting knot. I used the pliers that came with the X-2 to tighten the TNT knots, and perhaps that was the problem, where the TNT was wrapped around the ZX way too tightly. Or maybe it was the parnell knot that was too tight even when it was hand tied? I don't know... very strange, I never expected to break the string in this manner. It seemed like it all worked out until I cut the excess TNT string close to the knot, and then snap! Right at the end.

Second attempt: Now I was getting paranoid, let's ditch the parnell and just go with the double half hitch and also hand-tie the TNT. I also didn't pre-stretch, and instead waited 30-60 seconds each time on the drop-weight and let the string find the "equilibrium" like the youtube video said, then release tension, and tension it again before clamping. I was able to successfully finish the job, but I don't feel very comfortable with the way the finishing knots turned out, maybe because I was being too careful this time around - the second half-hitch doesn't even look like it's doing anything...

https://imgur.com/XcmVcYv

https://imgur.com/jjbEKuf

Is this at all normal for the Monogut ZX? Or is there anything I should be doing to improve the knot? I also feel like I lose tension because I don't get enough of the string slack when tightening the knot, especially when I'm hand tying, and this probably has to do with technique and being extra sensitive about trying not to break it.

Another thing I noticed while playing - and I never actually paid attention to this before and perhaps this is related to the knot issue - is that I noticed the end mains felt more loose, and would move more than the other strings. Here is an example of how much it stretches out at the end:

https://imgur.com/HgnQOcK

So is this in any way considered normal? I don't mind having to move it back into the normal alignment if it does move like that, but if this is a sign of bad stringing technique, I'd like to know and fix it. Apologies if this looks bad! I'll do my best to improve!
 
Last edited:
tomato123 said:
Now I was getting paranoid

the second half-hitch doesn't even look like it's doing anything...
https://imgur.com/XcmVcYv
https://imgur.com/jjbEKuf

Another thing I noticed while playing - and I never actually paid attention to this before and perhaps this is related to the knot issue - is that I noticed the end mains felt more loose, and would move more than the other strings. Here is an example of how much it stretches out at the end:

https://imgur.com/HgnQOcK
Click to expand...

Now I was getting paranoid
This is how I feel whenever I string Monogut ZX. This string gave me the stringing phobia.
I still have 2 sets of the 4 sets I bought on sale 3 years ago.
Stringing this string always give me the jitters.

the second half-hitch doesn't even look like it's doing anything...
https://imgur.com/XcmVcYv
https://imgur.com/jjbEKuf
You are actually doing a much better job than I am in finishing knots.
My knots are significantly much looser than yours but surprisingly they hold up (like a wire coat hanger) and do not unravel.


Another thing I noticed while playing - and I never actually paid attention to this before and perhaps this is related to the knot issue - is that I noticed the end mains felt more loose, and would move more than the other strings. Here is an example of how much it stretches out at the end:
https://imgur.com/HgnQOcK

This is normal. You cannot totally eliminate this. Some people try to reduce looseness by increasing tension on the end mains and/or cinching up.
I don't worry about it because most of the time I break this string when cinching up/tightening up the knot.
 
The Gamma X-2 is a drop weight machine, which is good thing in this case. It is constant pull, so it's not necessary to re-tension it, like you would if you had a lockout machine. Just let it stretch for about 30 seconds or more until the string reaches equilibrium and then clamp it. You'll be fine.

Another thing, the Gamma X-2 uses floating clamps not fixed clamps. Unfortunately, you'll have to live with the drawbacks of floating clamps. The end strings will be harder to get tight because they are farther apart than the middle strings, so the floating clamps will cause slack because the width of their spacing is fixed. You can try to compensate for that by adding additional tension to the last string or last 2 strings and/or you can purchase a floating clamp with more spacing. This problem is not unique to Monogut ZX. You'll get the same problem with any string on your machine.

Monogut ZX is more brittle than most strings, even though it's strong once you have it installed. When I used the red version, I broke it on the stringer nearly half the time. Stay away from red. Black is better, but natural is definitely the least brittle. Stick with natural if you want the least amount of breakage. Pay attention to how tight your clamps are. The clamps should be just tight enough to hold the strings. If they are too tight, they will compress the string and make it more brittle.

I think your knots are fine. I've used both Parnell and double half hitch. The Parnell knot has a more secure look to it because the loops don't have to be as small, but I actually prefer the double half hitch because I can get more slack out of the string by getting that first loop really tight. I know the 2nd loop doesn't look that secure, but I never had a problem with it loosening later on. Also, don't use tools to tie your knots. I use my hands and I get just as good results from that.

It's not the easiest string to install, but it's also not the worst. I think sharp polys are worse by far, and Rip Control is also worse.
 
Thanks so much Ramon! your past posts on this string really inspired me to try the syngut hybrid and I'm really loving the setup! Not sure if the ocho TNT is that much different than with a normal TNT but I think it's more of a testament to this hybrid concept more than anything, but the Ocho does have a lower COF than the normal TNT 16 which I think may be the bigger difference maker as opposed to the octagon shape, but I can't really say for certain.

If it turns out to be the case that the TNT cross will wear out or break before the monogut, I may consider playing around with the zx 17 gauge to get improved spin potential and playability. Are there any differences I should be aware of between the 16 and 17 gauge versions?
 
tomato123 said:
Thanks so much Ramon! your past posts on this string really inspired me to try the syngut hybrid and I'm really loving the setup! Not sure if the ocho TNT is that much different than with a normal TNT but I think it's more of a testament to this hybrid concept more than anything, but the Ocho does have a lower COF than the normal TNT 16 which I think may be the bigger difference maker as opposed to the octagon shape, but I can't really say for certain.

If it turns out to be the case that the TNT cross will wear out or break before the monogut, I may consider playing around with the zx 17 gauge to get improved spin potential and playability. Are there any differences I should be aware of between the 16 and 17 gauge versions?
Click to expand...
17 gauge is much more fragile. The one time I tried 17 gauge was in a full bed setup, and I broke it in the first set! Needless to say, that wasn't long enough, but it played great for the 30 minutes I tried it. I'm going to stick with 16 gauge, but if you don't hit as hard as I do or put as much spin, then 17 gauge might work for you.

Right now I'm trying Babolat Origin 16 in the crosses. I only played with it for an hour, but so far it plays great, and it might be even better than TNT2. If it was only $10 I'd probably buy a few more sets right now, but for $22 I'm not so sure. This could be a hard decision.
 
tomato123 said:
Hi, so after doing a lot of research and reading up on almost every discussion on this board about the string, I decided to give the Ashaway Monogut ZX a try, with the ZX 16 main at 60 lbs and gamma TNT ocho 16 crosses at 57 lbs. I am a novice when it comes to stringing and use the basic Gamma X-2 drop weight machine. I hope to make this a learning experience so I could get better at stringing this particular string, and improving my stringing skills overall - because when I went to play with this setup, it was amazing! But I do have some questions and since this was such a sensitive procedure, I started to notice things that I didn't notice before. Anyways, here is a breakdown of my process:

First attempt: even after ALL that reading and preparation, the string broke while stringing! Ugh. I prestretched, used parnell finishing knots, hand-tied. The breakage on the ZX occured when I was using my nail clipper to trim the excess string on my TNT Ocho starting knot. I used the pliers that came with the X-2 to tighten the TNT knots, and perhaps that was the problem, where the TNT was wrapped around the ZX way too tightly. Or maybe it was the parnell knot that was too tight even when it was hand tied? I don't know... very strange, I never expected to break the string in this manner. It seemed like it all worked out until I cut the excess TNT string close to the knot, and then snap! Right at the end.

Second attempt: Now I was getting paranoid, let's ditch the parnell and just go with the double half hitch and also hand-tie the TNT. I also didn't pre-stretch, and instead waited 30-60 seconds each time on the drop-weight and let the string find the "equilibrium" like the youtube video said, then release tension, and tension it again before clamping. I was able to successfully finish the job, but I don't feel very comfortable with the way the finishing knots turned out, maybe because I was being too careful this time around - the second half-hitch doesn't even look like it's doing anything...

https://imgur.com/XcmVcYv

https://imgur.com/jjbEKuf

Is this at all normal for the Monogut ZX? Or is there anything I should be doing to improve the knot? I also feel like I lose tension because I don't get enough of the string slack when tightening the knot, especially when I'm hand tying, and this probably has to do with technique and being extra sensitive about trying not to break it.

Another thing I noticed while playing - and I never actually paid attention to this before and perhaps this is related to the knot issue - is that I noticed the end mains felt more loose, and would move more than the other strings. Here is an example of how much it stretches out at the end:

https://imgur.com/HgnQOcK

So is this in any way considered normal? I don't mind having to move it back into the normal alignment if it does move like that, but if this is a sign of bad stringing technique, I'd like to know and fix it. Apologies if this looks bad! I'll do my best to improve!
Click to expand...
Nice write up

Yeah zx is picky. Any kind of nick and it will break. So care is paramount. Fwiw you did a great job and the characteristics that make zx tough to string are the same ones that make it so playable: its stretchy but doesnt like to bend
 
Once when I was tying a Parnell knot with ZX, the tail end slipped out while I was using the second loop to tighten the first half hitch. When I backed out of the knot, the string had become fragile. So when I tried again it snapped. But there was about 4mm length left, so I could use my pliers to tighten the single half hitch. Since the string is brittle, that one knot held fine.

It makes me wonder if a single half hitch can be the standard knot for this string. It's the rocking back and forth to tighten the string up that makes the string fragile. And in the above picture links it doesn't look like a second hitch is doing much anyway.
 
Muppet said:
Once when I was tying a Parnell knot with ZX, the tail end slipped out while I was using the second loop to tighten the first half hitch. When I backed out of the knot, the string had become fragile. So when I tried again it snapped. But there was about 4mm length left, so I could use my pliers to tighten the single half hitch. Since the string is brittle, that one knot held fine.

It makes me wonder if a single half hitch can be the standard knot for this string. It's the rocking back and forth to tighten the string up that makes the string fragile. And in the above picture links it doesn't look like a second hitch is doing much anyway.
Click to expand...
Never use pliers with zx. It read like thats what you used??? Hands or starting clamps only and dont pull so tight. As you mention it is tiff and will hold
 
Shroud said:
Never use pliers with zx. It read like thats what you used??? Hands or starting clamps only and dont pull so tight. As you mention it is tiff and will hold
Click to expand...
I was initially using my starting clamp to tie the knot. When that went awry and the string snapped off, leaving 4mm, at that point I used the pliers to tighten the single half hitch with a direct pull. Using my pliers didn't make matters any worse at that point. I usually hate tightening knots with my pliers as I can hit myself in the face if the grip slips. But since I only had 4mm to work with I needed them.
 
Update: I just ordered a set of RPM team 16 to try and setup a hybrid with the ZX. I did some racquet modification to bring my swingweight to ~340 and recoil weight to ~170, so I'm hoping this will help in the comfort department. That said, I'd love to get some recommendations on this particular hybrid setup... if I were to go with ZX mains, I'm looking at around 55 or 56 lbs, so maybe I'm thinking 50 lbs for the RPM team crosses. What are some general expectations on how this setup will play/feel? And if we assume that I prefer ZX in the mid-50's (if I used it on the mains), what tension would you suggest as a cross with the RPM team, and with what tension for the RPM team main, and how do you see that setup playing out? Also open to scrapping this idea if the qualities of these two strings are counterproductive since I am basing this combination from hearing good things about the RPM team pairing well with natural gut, and perhaps it can produce similar results with the ZX... :confused:
 
Last edited:
tomato123 said:
Update: I just ordered a set of RPM team 16 to try and setup a hybrid with the ZX. I did some racquet modification to bring my swingweight to ~340 and recoil weight to ~170, so I'm hoping this will help in the comfort department. That said, I'd love to get some recommendations on this particular hybrid setup... if I were to go with ZX mains, I'm looking at around 55 or 56 lbs, so maybe I'm thinking 50 lbs for the RPM team crosses. What are some general expectations on how this setup will play/feel? And if we assume that I prefer ZX in the mid-50's (if I used it on the mains), what tension would you suggest as a cross with the RPM team, and with what tension for the RPM team main, and how do you see that setup playing out? Also open to scrapping this idea if the qualities of these two strings are counterproductive since I am basing this combination from hearing good things about the RPM team pairing well with natural gut, and perhaps it can produce similar results with the ZX... :confused:
Click to expand...

People on this forum have reported that they loved ZX as a cross string with poly mains. Not that many liked it the other way around, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t like it. Personally, I use ZX so I can get good spin and durability without poly. For my arm, poly is out of the question.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Ramon said:
People on this forum have reported that they loved ZX as a cross string with poly mains. Not that many liked it the other way around, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t like it. Personally, I use ZX so I can get good spin and durability without poly. For my arm, poly is out of the question.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
@ByeByePoly have you tried zx yet as a full bed?
 
Shroud said:
@ByeByePoly have you tried zx yet as a full bed?
Click to expand...

I have a ZX question. If you don't pre-stretch ZX, does tension settle after initial drop like a multi. For example, I like tonic/cream initially strung at 55/50 on stringer's LO stringer. FWIW, Cream was rated power 65 in TW review. If I had my stringer string tonic/non-pre-stretched ZX 55/55 ... where would the ZX settle and how fast?

Maybe to get close to tonic/cream 55/50 without pre-stretching ZX it would take tonic/zx 55/60 ... or maybe bump tonic to something like 57-58/60?

I don't want to pre-stretch, and I don't want stringer to break zx. I also am happy with Velocity or Tonic as a main. I do like the idea of zero poly, and a ZX cross would get me there. The other factor is main notching. For me, Cream has barely notched Tonic in 20 hours. Not sure with velocity/cream because I didn't play it long enough. 392hemi reported equal main wear with fb velocity or v/cream.

In Spring, might experiment more with non-poly cross. 17g V cross snapped my 16g main in 10 hours, get 20+ hours with fb v 16g.
 
@ByeByePoly : To put it this way, using a scrap piece of ZX 16, on my CP machine at 56#, I pulled for at least 20 seconds and the tensioner is still making minor adjustments. That means it is still stretching or relaxing. I released the tension on the string and let it relax, then tensioned it again at 56#. This time the tensioner stopped making noise before 15 seconds, which mean that the stupid string had stabilized. As a guess, the string was relaxing ~1# before it was re-pulled. So 15-20# between un-pre-stretched vs pre-stretched? As a comparison, when I pull SG, the tensioner stabilized ≤ 15 seconds and I clamp off. HTH

edit: Your stringer is really gonna hate you. Maybe pulling the ZX twice on a LO before clamping will remove most of the relaxation.
 
esgee48 said:
@ByeByePoly : To put it this way, using a scrap piece of ZX 16, on my CP machine at 56#, I pulled for at least 20 seconds and the tensioner is still making minor adjustments. That means it is still stretching or relaxing. I released the tension on the string and let it relax, then tensioned it again at 56#. This time the tensioner stopped making noise before 15 seconds, which mean that the stupid string had stabilized. As a guess, the string was relaxing ~1# before it was re-pulled. So 15-20# between un-pre-stretched vs pre-stretched? As a comparison, when I pull SG, the tensioner stabilized ≤ 15 seconds and I clamp off. HTH

edit: Your stringer is really gonna hate you. Maybe pulling the ZX twice on a LO before clamping will remove most of the relaxation.
Click to expand...

Thx ... Cream it is until ZX sells pre-stretched
 
I tried to string ZX 16/Hitech Multifiber 16 @56/53 on my drop weight w/o any pre-stretch. It was on my signature racquet. It came out very soft and pockety, but not too powerful. From there, it continually dropped tension and didn't stop. W/o a manual pre-stretch, ZX will always drop too much tension. Stringing on a lock out machine won't elongate the string enough to reach an equilibrium tension. If your stringer manually pre-stretches it by at least 6" and pulls it twice on the lock out machine, you might get good results.
 
ByeByePoly said:
I have a ZX question. If you don't pre-stretch ZX, does tension settle after initial drop like a multi. For example, I like tonic/cream initially strung at 55/50 on stringer's LO stringer. FWIW, Cream was rated power 65 in TW review. If I had my stringer string tonic/non-pre-stretched ZX 55/55 ... where would the ZX settle and how fast?
Click to expand...

Those are good questions on zx unprestreched.
Answers could be a bit subjective but here are my experiences so far.

How fast it settles? I think zx takes longer.
Maybe because it continues to stretch.
I think it's around 10-15hours in my case.
During that time, string bed response is somewhat erratic, mostly unexpected hot responses.
But I loved its first a few hours. It felt like spinny natural gut.

Will unprestreched zx settle and stays stable until the end?
I personally do not know yet but lots of posts here suggests it will.

I currently have 2 string beds of gut/zx hybrids. One unprestreched and other deep pre-stretched. Both settled I think. Unprestreched one feels somewhat too trampoline at the moment but I'll see how these plays until it pops.


Zx is unique string. You don't feel like it has good power but it does. But Even if it makes soft string bed, you can still takes large cut against hard struck balls and still has good control.
It sometimes exhibits unintuitive and somewhat contradictory characteristics and you'll need to get used it.

Only thing on zx for me is I wish it hums lower frequency.
 
Last edited:
Shroud said:
Pm me and i will send you some just to stop your complaining and help your arm...
Click to expand...

That's a good offer friend, but think of my lead time stringing issues going forward getting my west coast pre-stretch ZX fix. :D

I worry about the non-complainers.
 
ultradr said:
Those are good questions on zx unprestreched.
Answers could be a bit subjective but here are my experiences so far.

How fast it settles? I think zx takes longer.
Maybe because it continues to stretch.
I think it's around 10-15hours in my case.
During that time, string bed response is somewhat erratic, mostly unexpected hot responses.
But I loved its first a few hours. It felt like spinny natural gut.

Will unprestreched zx settle and stays stable until the end?
I personally do not know yet but lots of posts here suggests it will.

I currently have 2 string beds of gut/zx hybrids. One unprestreched and other deep pre-stretched. Both settled I think. Unprestreched one feels somewhat too trampoline at the moment but I'll see how these plays until it pops.


Zx is unique string. You don't feel like it has good power but it does. But Even if it makes soft string bed, you can still takes large cut against hard struck balls and still has good control.
It sometimes exhibits unintuitive and somewhat contradictory characteristics and you'll need to get used it.

Only thing on zx for me is I wish it hums lower frequency.
Click to expand...

Thx ... maybe people should string zx high tension unstretched and let the racquet sit for 3 months. :D Would need more racquets and a schedule.
 
Shroud said:
Pm me and i will send you some just to stop your complaining and help your arm...
Click to expand...
Don't forget his ham strings, calves and perhaps another gutter. If BBP is on IR, everything that's hurting has a chance to heal. 3¢

Wait a moment, just realized he could get Carpal Tunnel from typing on the keyboard too much. :p
 
esgee48 said:
Don't forget his ham strings, calves and perhaps another gutter. If BBP is on IR, everything that's hurting has a chance to heal. 3¢

Wait a moment, just realized he could get Carpal Tunnel from typing on the keyboard too much. :p
Click to expand...

CT soon ... winter almost here and will be typing about 2hbhs.
 
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